Bridgnorth CC 1st XI v Aston Unity (Home)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (166) beat Aston Unity (68) by 98 runs.
Batting: I. Gregory 47, M. Spence 45, A. Breakwell 27, A. Unitt 26*.
Bowling: A. Leather 5-16, T. Weaver 3-11.
Further steps in the improvement of Bridgnorth First XI were in evidence, as they stormed to a 98 run victory against Aston Unity at home on Saturday.
Batting first, Bridgnorth recovered from losing two wickets to the first two balls of the match, to a total of 166 all out. This was, in reality, about 50 runs shy of what it should have been, but given the inauspicious start, represented a positive recovery. Good contributions from Ian Gregory (47) and Murray Spence (45) who shared a 3rd wicket partnership of 78, were well supported by Andy Breakwell (27) and Andy Unitt (26*) with some strong lower order strokes.
An extremely spirited performance in the field followed, led by an excellent 1st team debut by wicketkeeper Simon Gregory. Opening bowler, Tom Weaver added to his growing stature within the team by dismissing the first three opposition batsmen in claiming 3-11. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, helped by a solid fielding display as Bridgnorth turned the screw. Aston were dismissed for a paltry 68 in just the 31st over, when another debutante AJ Smith held an excellent overhead catch, to give skipper Andy Leather (5-16) his fifth wicket.
With seven games to go, Bridgnorth's fate is in their own hands. Team performances like this augur well for what looks like being an exciting finish to a rain-affected season.
Bridgnorth CC 2nd XI v W.B.Dartmouth (Away)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (213) had a winning draw against W.B.D. (130-6).
Batting: M. Martin 78, M. Turner 33, G. Lewis 28, T. Whitney 22.
Bowling: S. Caine 4-20, I. Baldwin 1-, N. Johnson 1-.
Bridgnorth Second Team continued to find some form as they earned an impressive winning draw at West Bromwich Dartmouth.
After winning the toss captain Steve Caine elected to bat on a batsman friendly wicket. It looked as though this was the right decision as Bridgnorth got off to a solid start with Tom Whitney making a run a ball 22, and Matt Turner adding a quickfire 33. Matt Martin batted through the innings and made an impressive 78 whilst Greg Lewis finished off the innings with 28 off 28 deliveries. This meant that Bridgnorth finished on 213 all out, possibly 40 runs short of what they once looked like getting.
After the interval a very unambitious West Bromwich side made no attempt to chase down the target of 214, as they batted for the losing draw right from the 1st delivery. Steve Caine continued to pick up more wickets as he took 4-20 off 20 overs. Seamers Ian Baldwin and Neil Johnson also bowled well and chipped in with a wicket each as West Bromwich finished their innings on 130-6 off their 50 overs.
Bridgnorth will be looking for another good performance at home to Halesowen this weekend.
Bridgnorth CC 3rd XI v Corvedale (Away)
Bridgnorth 3rd XI (49) lost to Corvedale (135) by 86 runs.
Batting: E. Martin 20.
Bowling: D. James 8-44.
Bridgnorth Third XI finally saw some action on Saturday but they fell to a 86 run defeat away at Corvedale.
After winning the toss captain Mark Weston asked the hosts to bat on a slow and low looking deck. Bridgnorth opening bowlers kept the run rate down restricting Corvedale to 27 off the first 10 overs. The run rate was upped slightly in the next 10 with Bridgnorth picking up just the one wicket with a run out. It was at this point when young leg spinner Devon James was brought into the attack; wickets soon fell as he ripped through the opposition batting line up recording figures of 8-44. However due to some average fielding Corvedale's total began to increase only for opening bowler Ed Lewis to come back on and bowl with good pace and swing to keep the runs down. Corvedale finally finished 135 all out.
Despite Corvedale posting a larger total than they should of Bridgnorth still felt they could chase it down. This proved not to be the case. Due to some poor shots and maybe lack of match practise Bridgnorth folded to 49 all out with only Ed Martin showing any resistance scoring 20.
Bridgnorth must make amends next Saturday when they host Hinstock.
Bridgnorth CC Sunday 1st XI v Cannock & Rugeley (Away)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (86) lost to Cannock & Rugeley (87-1) by 9 wickets.
Batting: S. Farquhar 26.
Bowling:
Bridgnorth First Team crashed to a heavy 9 wicket defeat away at Cannock & Rugeley on Sunday.
Batting first, a total of 86 was never going to be enough for the visitors with only Stuart Farquahar (26) getting a score. After the break the home side made short work of the run chase losing only 1 wicket thanks to some tidy glovework by Andy O'Connor.
Bridgnorth CC Sunday 2nd XI v Cannock & Rugeley (Home)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (263-4) beat Cannock & Rugeley (164-5) by 99 runs.
Batting: R. Hughes 111, P. Thompson 101*, L. Brown 33.
Bowling: A. Thomas 1-34, E. Pottinger 1-38, G. Baldwin 1-16, L. Brown 1-11.
Excellent tons from Rob Hughes and Pete Thompson led Bridgnorth 2nds to an emphatic victory by 99 runs over Cannock and Rugeley at home on Sunday.
After Cannock won the toss, Bridgnorth were invited to bat first in hot and sunny conditions at Cricket Meadow. Openers Hughes and Liam Brown made a solid start to the innings, putting together a half-century partnership for the first wicket. Cannock then got themselves back into the game with 2 quick wickets, including Brown for 33. Thompson then joined Hughes at the wicket, and together they kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely, both playing some excellent shots. Hughes, in the form of his life, reached his century first, his maiden hundred for the club, before being dismissed soon after for a brilliant 111. Thompson continued to score runs with ease, reaching his ton with a six off the penultimate ball of the innings, Bridgnorth finishing on 263-4.
In reply Cannock & Rugeley got off to a slow start, thanks to tight bowling from Bridgnorth's opening bowlers, before Alex Thomas (1-34) made the initial breakthrough in the sixth over. After this early setback, the Cannock batsmen started to make something of a recovery, keeping the runs ticking over. However, they were unable to keep up with the required rate, with Elliot Pottinger (1-38), Graham Baldwin (1-16) and Liam Brown (1-11) all bowling well to pick up a wicket apiece. Cannock finally reached 164-5 from their 40 overs, giving Bridgnorth victory by 99 runs.
